Syllabus

Course Meeting Times

Lectures: 2 sessions / week, 1.5 hours / session

A Cognitive Science Approach To Engineering

The look, feel and use of objects communicate their value to us. This course applies cognitive science and technology to the industrial design process. The course will introduce prototyping techniques and approaches for objective evaluation as part of the design process. Students will practice evaluating products with mechanical and electronic aspects. The evaluation process will then be applied to creating functioning product prototypes. This is a project-oriented course that will draw on engineering, aesthetic, and creative skills. The course is geared towards students interested in creating physical products which encompass electronics and computers in order to include them in scenarios. Students will present readings, learn prototyping skills, create a product prototype, and complete a publication style paper. We will mill, cut, mold solder, program, and draw our way to evaluating product design.

Model making and prototyping skills will be taught.

Requirements

ACTIVITIES PERCENTAGES
Discussion

Artfacts, Images, Papers, Books, Ideas
10%
Design We Do in Class

2002: Dirty Coke Can, Dooring Bikes

2003: Brainstorm Every Two Weeks - Silos of Knowledge and Activity
10%
Projects

2 Liter Soda Bottle Door Stop

Vacuum Form Container

Water Jet Door Stop with MIT or ML Embedded

3D Printed Thing You Can Hold in Your Hand

Electronics and Sensors

Final Project
60%
Presentations

2 Formal Presentations of Book or Paper

1 In-class Project Taken Farther

Project
10%
Quizzes

Human Factors, Materials, Electronics, Sensors, Tool Use
10%